Running for Office: Mike Neustrom

Lafayette Parish sheriff

LAFAYETTE — Lafayette Parish Sheriff Mike Neustrom will seek a fourth term in office, according to a recent campaign announcement.

Neustrom, a Democrat, first took office in July 2000. Since then, he has focused on reducing crime and improving public safety in the parish, according to his announcement.

Under his leadership, the Sheriff’s Office earned the Triple Crown Award for accreditation from the national Sheriffs Association, a recognition that has been granted to only 37 agencies nationwide, the announcement said.

Neustrom has sought to reduce crime by implementing Compstat, computer software that tracks crime trends, increasing the department’s DNA capabilities and developing a truancy reduction program with the School Board, the announcement said.

Neustrom has also worked to implement other programs and services such as Triad, Neighborhood Watch, Community Roots, the announcement said.

On the correctional front, Neustrom has designed treatment, re-entry programs and work-release programs to reduce inmate return rates, the announcement said.

Neustrom is married and has six children and six grandchildren, the announcement said.

“We’ve only just begun! Our planned facilities at the Willow Street property, which we’re handling with existing financial resources, will continue to keep Lafayette Parish on the cutting edge in public safety,” Neustrom said in the statement.